April 5, 2006

Cheeky monkeys trained not to steal mobile phones

Light-fingered monkeys unable to resist the bright lights and bleeps of mobile phones have been taught not to steal, informs BBC News.

Previously, squirrel monkeys in London Zoo's new barrier-free enclosure were tempted to take visitors' phones. But since staff covered unwanted phones in an unpleasant sticky substance, the animals were soon put off and gave up their bad habits.

Visitors to the walk-through enclosure would hold out their camera phones to video or take photographs drawing the monkeys' attention away from their usual habits.